Assam: BJP MLA Atul Bora hits out at former forest minister, says "not a single tree planted visible" at Topatoli, lambasts Star Cement for destroying land

Dispur legislator Atul Bora came heavy on MLA Parimal Suklabaidya on September 14 alleging that the former state forest minister had never planted trees as claimed earlier on an estimated expenditure of Rs 8 lakh.

Speaking on the floor of the House on the fourth day of Assam Legislative Assembly Autumn Session, MLA Atul Bora slammed MLA Parimal Suklabaidya stating that he had refused to go to his constituency Topatoli on Van Mahotsav during Suklabaidya's tenure to plant trees as he found it futile as not a single tree was planted by the former state forest minister. 

Further, Bora slammed Star Cement company of destroying vast expanse of forest lands, the Dispur legislator urged the government to plant trees on the spots where Star Cement plants are installed. Demanding the removal of Star Cement, the legislator urged the government to take up conservation work after plantation of trees as huge heap of sand, dust has accumulated in the forest land. 

"What is the use of planting so many trees when if no conservation is done. It is only through conservation when this tree plantation work can come to use", said Atul Bora on the floor of the House.

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Replying to the allegations raised by MLA Atul Bora, the state's Environment and Forest Minister Chandramohan Patowary claimed that the entire tree planting event or Van Mahotsav is 'free of cost' and that the tree planting event held during MLA Parimal Suklabaidya's tenure did not cost a single penny as opposed to the claims by Bora.

Additionally, Patowary refuted claims of Rs 8 lakh expenditure in the name of tree planting and stated that the Bora should visit his constituency and check on both sides of the road looking for trees where 400-500 people were involved when he went there for the event.